Chiropractor Hourly Pay in Iowa City, IA: $38.35 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a chiropractor working in Iowa City, IA runs $38.35 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $79,756 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1011). Weighted against Iowa City's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.5, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $41.91 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $47,859 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Chiropractors in Iowa City, IA, earn a median hourly rate of $38.35, which is slightly below the national median of $38.95. This pay scale provides opportunities for part-time professionals and per-diem workers across various settings, including private practices and integrated clinics. For chiropractors working part-time, such as three days a week, this hourly rate can translate to a reasonable income while allowing flexibility, particularly in high-demand environments like sports team training rooms and corporate wellness programs. The hourly range in Iowa City spans from $29.44 for entry-level positions to $48.45 for seasoned practitioners, reflecting a robust opportunity for growth and specialization in the field of chiropractic care. This data is sourced from projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS data and sheds light on the earning dynamics in the region.
Chiropractor Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $29.44 | $235.51 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $32.87 | $262.93 |
| Median (P50) | $38.35 | $306.79 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $38.35 | $306.79 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $48.45 | $387.64 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Iowa City
Based on $38.35/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $38.35/hr, a chiropractor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Iowa City, IA can expect to earn approximately $79,765 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $46,018. With a cost-of-living index of 91.51 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Iowa City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Iowa City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,533.94 | $6,647 | $79,765 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $920.36 | $3,988 | $47,859 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $613.58 | $2,659 | $31,906 |
Compare DC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Chiropractor (Iowa City) | $38.35 |
| Physical Therapist (National Avg) | $48.18 |
| Occupational Therapist (National Avg) | $46.10 |
| Massage Therapist (National Avg) | $28.37 |
| Athletic Trainer (National Avg) | $27.28 |
Chiropractors in Iowa City, IA earn a median of $79,756 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.55% lower than the national median of $81,014 and 4.20% above the Iowa state average of $76,541.
Chiropractor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $38.35/hr = $47,859/year (purchasing power: $52,300).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $79,765/year (purchasing power: $87,166).
CoL index: 91.509 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$39.05/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$37.49/hr
2026 Current Est.
$38.35/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+0.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Chiropractors in Iowa City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.29% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $39.05/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $31.65/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.29/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $29.87/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $35.57/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $37.55/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $37.49/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $38.35/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $39.23/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for chiropractors in Iowa City grew -4.0% from $39.05/hr (2019) to $37.49/hr (2025). At a 2.29% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $39.23/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem chiropractors can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Iowa City metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.29% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Chiropractor in Iowa City
The earning potential for chiropractors in Iowa City varies significantly based on employment type and hours worked. A chiropractor working part-time for three days, typically about 24 hours a week, could expect to bring home around $48,000 annually, demonstrating substantial earning capacity without a full-time commitment. Many practitioners explore per-diem opportunities; they may find daily pay rates ranging from $300 to $600 for regular coverage, with increased compensation for weekend sports events, which can go as high as $1,000 per day. Furthermore, hourly pay may differ across employer types—chiropractors in solo practices often experience different financial realities compared to those in franchises like The Joint or integrated healthcare settings. As some professionals opt for higher hourly rates lacking benefits, they must weigh the trade-offs of working in environments offering health insurance against potentially lower hourly compensation. For negotiators in the Iowa City chiropractor market, understanding these dynamics is essential for maximizing potential earnings in this evolving professional landscape.
More salary data for Iowa City, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Maria Gonzalez, D.C.
Career Analyst
Maria has 10 years of experience as a chiropractor. She specializes in sports injuries and practices in a private clinic. Maria also conducts workshops for community health education.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.29% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for chiropractors in Iowa City. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.29%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for chiropractors (SOC 29-1011).
Compiled and verified by Maria Gonzalez, D.C., a licensed chiropractor with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov